Akon
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Aliaune Badara Akon Thiam, better known by his middle and stage name Akon (Template:PronEng), is a Senegalese-American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, businessman, and philanthropist. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up”, the first single from his debut album Trouble. His second album, Konvicted, earned him a Grammy Award nomination of the single "Smack That". He has since founded two record labels, Konvict Muzik and Kon Live Distribution. He is known as one of the most successful and versatile R&B singers of the 21st century, grossing over 30 million dollars a year according to Forbes. Akon often sings hooks for other artists and is currently accredited with over 200 guest appearances and 36 Billboard Hot 100 songs. He is the first solo artist to hold both the number one and two spots simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100 charts twice. He has had 6 Grammy Awards Nominations and has produced many hits for artist such as Lady Gaga, T-Pain, Leona Lewis. He has had 19 top 20 hits world wide.